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Gavin Hayes in gas station smash

By Katie Holland

12:00 PM Wednesday Jan 9, 2013

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Gavin Hayes reckons it could be time to give up driving after being involved in a frightening crash.

The 82-year-old Rotorua man, recently named The Daily Post's Person of the Year, crashed while driving home from Taumarunui last week. He crashed near the Gull service station at Atiamuri about 8.45am on January 2.

"It appears one [vehicle] made a U-turn on the main road to go into the service station, which resulted in the other car crashing into it," Mr Troy said.

"Both vehicles went into the service station and crashed into a diesel tank."

No one in the crash suffered serious injuries, although Mr Hayes was taken to Tokoroa Hospital with a sore arm before family members took him home to recover. Mr Troy said the investigation into the crash was ongoing and it was not yet known if charges would be laid.

In October The Daily Post reported how Mr Hayes had been targeted by teens who had stolen money and food from his flat and twice stolen his car. The second time the vehicle was written-off. The story prompted a huge response, including Rent-a-Dent donating a car to Mr Hayes.

Mr Hayes said the donated car had unfortunately been written-off in last week's crash, which he said had given him quite a shock.

He said he had no plans to replace the car and from now on he would probably rely on others to drive him.